As the dust settles on another rollercoaster season for the Florida State Seminoles men’s basketball team, all eyes are on the transfer portal โ and head coach Luke Loucks is making sure it spins in the Seminoles’ favor.
After a challenging season and a significant leadership transition following Leonard Hamilton’s retirement, FSU is aggressively retooling its roster for a fresh start. With Loucks now at the helm, known for his NBA experience and modern basketball philosophy, the Seminoles are banking on new blood to reignite the flame.
Among the most notable additions is Robert McCray, a 6’4″ guard from Jacksonville University. McCray is no stranger to big performances, averaging 17.5 points and 4 assists last season while shooting an impressive 37% from beyond the arc. A dynamic scorer with a motor that doesnโt quit, McCray brings both offensive firepower and leadership maturity to a young FSU squad.
Joining McCray is Chauncey Wiggins, a 6’9″ forward transferring from Clemson. Known for his size, length, and ability to stretch the floor, Wiggins adds versatility to the frontcourt โ a much-needed asset after the departure of several key contributors. His rebounding instincts and defensive upside fit perfectly into Loucksโ vision of a high-intensity, transition-focused team.
Coach Loucks emphasized during a recent press conference that the goal isnโt just to fill spots โ itโs to build a cohesive unit with a chip on its shoulder.
“Weโre not just looking for talent. We want competitors โ guys who want to come in, make a statement, and bring back that Seminole pride,” Loucks said.
This aggressive approach to the transfer portal is part of a broader strategy to modernize FSU basketball. Loucksโ system leans heavily on spacing, perimeter shooting, and defensive pressure โ a far cry from the more methodical tempo under Hamilton. For this reason, bringing in experienced players who can adapt quickly is critical.
Itโs clear that Florida State is not waiting for a rebuild to happen slowly. With these new transfers, the Seminoles are signaling that they plan to compete immediately, not just participate.
Whether this revamped roster can gel in time for a deep ACC run remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Seminolesโ transfer portal strategy is no half-court heave โ it’s a full-court press.
